If you go down to London Zoo tonight you’ll be sure of a big surprise, as the song nearly has it. London Zoo Christmas lights start to twinkle once the animals have gone to sleep.

The only animals that you will see at the London Zoo Light trail are ones made from hundreds of tiny bulbs. The usual stars of the show slumber quietly in the shadows whilst visitors wander around the mile long light trail. You start off by walking through three light tunnels including one amazing laser and smoke affair that is fiendishly difficult to photograph but transports you into a different world.

Once you have traversed the light tunnels you come to a central courtyard with food stalls, the regular cafe, a helter-skelter and a carousel. This is also where the trail finishes, so depending on how hungry you are I would save this bit for last.

Now you go into the zoo proper. Giant illuminated flamingos fly overhead. If you go early in the evening right next door you can see and hear the real pat of flamingos settling down for the night. I concede that this was my favourite part of trail.

Onwards past Santa’s workshop and post room before coming face to face with the big man telling tales of the animals he encounters on his epic flight around the world. Marshmallows are on sale at this point in all manner of fruity flavours, I opted for blueberry and Sipsmith Gin, which you can toast over a barbeque.

Have you ever seen a Christmas tree made out of sledges? No neither had I, in fact it took several moment of gazing at the changing lights on the tree to realise that was what it was.

London Zoo not only has famous animals but also listed buildings for them to live in. Most famous off all the buildings in the Lubetkin Penguin Pool which is lit up spectacularly with a dancing light show all of its own.

London Zoo Christmas lights are stunning, the mile long trail is step free and buggy friendly. The glimpse of sleepy flamingos and the odd whiff of an animal is the nearest you get to seeing wildlife. You exit through the gift shop giving ample opportunity to acquire animal themed stocking fillers.